Introduction to Radio

 Notes:

• 90% of adults tune in, 71% of these adults tune in live.
• 24% of 16-24 year olds tune in.
• 26% listen on personal digital radio.
• 25% listen on audio streaming services.
• In 2015, over 40% of all reported radio listening was through a digital device.
• A 2nd national DAB network of transmitters were switched in 2016, bringing 15 unique radio services.
• The BBC's USP is the ability to find new music, such as BTS and K-Pop.

Task 1: 

Go online and have a look at the BBC radio programmes on offer today - Look at Radio 1 through to Radio 6:
- Which programmes are most clearly fulfilling their PSB remit?
- What range of programmes are offered?
- Which audiences are being targeted?
- Which one of the 3 principles are most in evidence in which programmes:

Radio 1: Their remit is to entertain a broad range of listeners who are young by playing chart music and relatable chat that engage a young audience. They do this by offering shows such as; Breakfast show, Official chart with Greg James, Newsbeat etc. Playing a mix of new music and artists who are emerging. Their target audience is 15 - 29 including youths and young adults.
Radio 2: Their remit is to be distinctive in their music and their speech. They offer shows such as; The Chris Evans breakfast show, Simon Mayo drive time, sounds of the 80's etc. They offer entertaining popular music and more speech based content focussing on news, current affairs, religion, documentaries etc. They target a broader audience appealing to over 35s
Radio 3: Their remit is to play music  and cultural programs that engage its audience. They play shows such as; Essential classics, lunchtime concert etc. Showing that they focus more on classic music and their chat which both informs and entertains its audience. This radio appeals to an audience that prefer listening to radio that will educate, mainly an older audience.
Radio 4: Their remit is to inform, educate and entertain listeners through speech programmes appealing to audiences that prefer intellectual chat. They play shows such as; Woman's hour, Book of the week etc. Showing more mature chat on news and current affairs.
Radio 5: Their remit is to cover live news and sport that bring stories that have just happened. They provide shows such as; The Friday's sport panel, 5 live breakfast etc. Showing that they focus more on discussion and analysis of sport and news rather than music. Their audiences targets sports fans and mostly an older audience as it is just chat.
Radio 6: Their remit is to entertain listeners with popular and alternative music. They provide shows such as; Iggy pop, Tom Ravenscroft etc. They play songs outside the mainstream market  supported with live music and new artists. They target all ages music lovers.

Task 2:

 Who was the first Breakfast show presenter on Radio 1?
Tony Blackburn

Other DJ's who have presented the show:
Nick Grimshaw, Simon Mayo, Chris Moyles, Mike Read

Biographical information on Nick Grimshaw:
 He is best known for having hosted a variety of shows on BBC Radio 1 and has been host of The Radio 1 Breakfast Show since 2012, Grimshaw grew up in the town of Oldham, Greater Manchester. He is now known for his roles in T4 and The Album Chart Show and being a judge on the twelfth series of X Factor.


 What are the current listening figures for the Breakfast Show?
The show recorded 4.93 million weekly listeners between July and September - down from 5.5 million last quarter.

Who is the controller of BBC Radio1?
Ben Cooper

How is Radio 1 funded?
Principally by an annual television license fee which is charged to all British households, Companies, and organisations using any type of equipment to receive or record live television broadcasts and iPlayer catch up.

How does Radio 1 try to be distinctive?
Radio 1 plays nearly 10 times as many different tracks in a month as its commercial rival, Capital. This is because as well as playing chart music, they also play music by emerging artists which would not be played on other commercial radio.

What is the difference between BBC Radio & Commercial stations?
Commercial stations including Capital, Kiss and Heart play chart music to keep their listeners happy and up to date with new music whereas BBC plays a wide variety of music and discussion. BBC radio spread different content between their stations which means they can reach a broader audience whereas commercial stations tend to only focus on current affairs and music.